Book Reviews

Coffee Boy by Austin Chant at NineStar Press

Genre

Gay / Trans* / Contemporary / Romance

Reviewed by

Serena Yates on 20-March-2017

Book Blurb

After graduation, Kieran expected to go straight into a career of flipping burgers—only to be offered the internship of his dreams at a political campaign. But the pressure of being an out trans man in the workplace quickly sucks the joy out of things, as does Seth, the humorless campaign strategist who watches his every move.

Soon, the only upside to the job is that Seth has a painful crush on their painfully straight boss, and Kieran has a front row seat to the drama. But when Seth proves to be as respectful and supportive as he is prickly, Kieran develops an awkward crush of his own—one which Seth is far too prim and proper to ever reciprocate.

Book Review

‘Coffee Boy’ is full of interesting characters, unexpected revelations, and the main character had me engaged in no time. This story was just what I needed to read right now with its mix of realism and a message about acceptance that could not be any clearer.

Kieran is a recent graduate of political sciences and his main job, sadly, is in flipping burgers because it enables him to pay the rent. One of Kieran’s former professors, Marcus, is a senator’s nephew and has convinced Kieran to volunteer for an internship supporting her reelection campaign. Kieran isn’t quite sure what to expect – other than the usual issues around people respecting his pronouns. As a trans man he is, unfortunately, very familiar with that particular aspect of life.

Kieran’s other problem is the campaign strategist, Seth, who turns out to have a crush on the very straight boss of it all, none other than Marcus. Seth is also one of the most trans-supportive people Kieran has ever met, to the point that some of Seth’s discussions cross a line Kiran is not willing to transcend. The drama that unfolds has many aspects, and I was as entertained as I was worried about how it would all end.

If you like unusual characters, if you want to know what it can be like to have to fight for the recognition of your gender identity every single day, and if you’re looking for a read with lots of drama, great observations of human behavior, and a very sweet, understated romance, then you will probably like this novella. I certainly did!

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by NineStar Press for the purpose of a review.

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